Larger versions of these images are located at the foot of the page. Basic Biographical Details Name: | John McLachlan | Designation: | Architect | Born: | c. 1843 | Died: | 13 May 1893 | Bio Notes: | John McLachlan was born c.1843 and articled to David Cousin, probably c.1858. He commenced independent practice in 1868 and by 1878 had an office at 8 York Buildings. He married Margaret Ann Morham, probably a sister of Robert Morham, also of Cousin's office.
In 1884 McLachlan became architect to the National Bank of Scotland and by 1892 he had replaced Hippolyte Jean Blanc as architect to the St Cuthbert's Co-operative Association. About 1890 there was a marked change in his style from Italian Renaissance and Victorian baronial to a Queen Anne manner and a more vigorous interpretation of baronial which may mark the beginning of an association with Thomas Purves Marwick who bought the practice after McLachlan died on 13 May 1893 at the early age of 50. He left moveable estate of £2,953.
(NB In Wills & Testaments he appears as 'MacLachlan') | Private and Business AddressesThe following private or business addresses are associated with this architect: | | Address | Type | Date from | Date to | Notes |  | 18, St Andrew Square, Edinburgh, Scotland | Business | c. 1869 | c. 1870 | |  | 2, Queen Street, Edinburgh, Scotland | Business | c. 1871 | c. 1878 | |  | 8, York Buildings, Edinburgh, Scotland | Business | 1878 * | | |  | 9, Leven Terrace, Edinburgh, Scotland | Private | c. 1883 | | |  | 29, York Place, Edinburgh, Scotland | Business | c. 1884 | 1893 | Practice taken over by T C Marwick |  | 33, Queen's Crescent, Edinburgh, Scotland | Private | c. 1886 | 1893 | |
* earliest date known from documented sources.
Employment and TrainingEmployersThe following individuals or organisations employed or trained this architect (click on an item to view details): | | Name | Date from | Date to | Position | Notes |  | David Cousin | c. 1858 | | Apprentice | |
Employees or PupilsThe following individuals were employed or trained by this architect (click on an item to view details): | | Name | Date from | Date to | Position | Notes |  | John Murray | 1884 or 1885 | c. 1890 | Apprentice | |  | John Bryan Nisbet | c. 1890(?) | c. 1893(?) | Chief Assistant | |
Buildings and DesignsThis architect was involved with the following buildings or structures from the date specified (click on an item to view details): | | Date started | Building name | Town, district or village | Island | City or county | Country | Notes |  | | Craigentinny House | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Instructed Scott Morton & Co for interior work (presumably this J McLachlan?) - date unknown |  | 1869 | Lot 5, St Mary's Street | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Revised scheme to replace James Sutherland's |  | 1871 | Corner block, Cowgate and St Mary's Street | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | |  | 1878 | 52-56 Shandwick Place | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | |  | 1881 | House for W G Bloxom | Morningside | | Edinburgh | Scotland | |  | 1881 | Villa, 57 Fountainhall Road | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | |  | 1881 | Yester Free Church | Yester | | East Lothian | Scotland | |  | 1882 | 33 Queen's Crescent | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Alterations |  | 1883 | 4 St Andrew Square | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | |  | 1883 | 8-11 Ventnor Terrace | Newington | | Edinburgh | Scotland | |  | 1883 | Bonnington Bank (or Park) House | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Remodelling and extension |  | 1883 | Linktown Free Church | Kirkcaldy | | Fife | Scotland | Alterations to interior |  | 1883 | Sheuchan Free Church | Stranraer | | Wigtownshire | Scotland | |  | 1884 | Hawick Cottage Hospital | Hawick | | Roxburghshire | Scotland | |  | 1884 | National Bank of Scotland Head Office (Former) | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Provided specifications for new buildings in Register Place and Strong Room |  | 1884 | Villa, 55 Fountainhall Road | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | |  | 1885 | Viewpark House | Selkirk | | Selkirkshire | Scotland | Conversion into hospital |  | 1886 | National Bank of Scotland, Airdrie Branch | Airdrie | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | Additions and alterations |  | 1886 | Wardie UP Church | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Hall (was the previous place of worship) |  | 1887 | Caledonian Distillery | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | warehouses nos 3 & 9 |  | 1887 | National Bank | | | Dundee | Scotland | Alterations including fitting up dwelling house as office |  | 1887 | National Bank of Scotland, Selkirk Branch | Selkirk | | Selkirkshire | Scotland | |  | 1888 | Coldstream Cottage Hospital | Coldstream | | Berwickshire | Scotland | |  | 1888 | Library for Solicitors to the Supreme Courts of Scotland | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Competition design - unplaced |  | 1888 | National Bank of Scotland, Edinburgh West End | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Major alterations - new façade grafted onto existing building |  | 1888 | Villa, 11 Tipperlin Road | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | |  | 1889 | Craigmore UP Church | Rothesay | Bute | Bute | Scotland | Competition design (described as 'Rothesay Church') (May be a different church?) |  | 1889 | Fever Hospital | Portobello | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Competition design |  | 1889 | National Bank of Scotland, Dundee Hilltown Branch | Hilltown | | Dundee | Scotland | Alterations |  | 1889 | UP Church | Glenluce | | Wigtownshire | Scotland | Unsuccessful competition design |  | 1890 | Jenners Workshop and Abbotsford Arms | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Nos 7-9 |  | 1890 | Miller's Foundry | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Rolling mill |  | 1890 | National Bank of Scotland, Coatbridge Branch | Coatbridge | | Lanarkshire | Scotland | New building |  | 1890 | National Bank of Scotland, High Street | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | New bank office and tenement |  | 1890 | New Stock Exchange | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | |  | 1891 | Manorhill | Selkirk | | Selkirkshire | Scotland | |  | 1891 | National Bank of Scotland, Inverness Branch | Inverness | | Inverness-shire | Scotland | Report and repairs on premises |  | 1892 | St Cuthbert's Co-operative Association Department Store and Dairy | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | Original palazzo building |  | 1892 | Wardie UP Church | | | Edinburgh | Scotland | |
ReferencesBibliographic ReferencesThe following books contain references to this architect: | | Author(s) | Date | Title | Part | Publisher | Notes |  | Edinburgh Architectural Association | 1907 | Edinburgh Architectural Association Exhibition Catalogue | | Edinburgh | |  | Post Office Directories | | | | | |
Images © All rights reserved. Edinburgh Architectural Association 1907 Exhibition Catalogue |